On a high at Tirumala hills

Man caught drunk at base of hill sacred to Hindus, where intoxicants are banned

Man caught drunk at base of hill sacred to Hindus, where intoxicants are banned

Madarkal, a special officer attached to Karnataka Bhavan in Tirumala Tirupathi, was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh police yesterday for entering the sacred Tirumala hills drunk. Intoxicants are banned on the hills.

Smoking and consuming liquor is banned on the hill that is revered by Hindus across the globe. There have been however several instances in the recent past when picnickers have carried intoxicants to the hilltop.
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Madarkal was on his way to the hilltop when he was stopped at the toll gate

In fact, Madarkal was on his way to the hilltop when he was stopped at the toll gate at the foothill.

Recently, officials of the TTD were caught while they partied with liquor in the Tirumala hills.

Sources said that Madarkal had suspended a 'C' group employee Ramakrishna Reddy. It is rumoured that it is Reddy who tipped the police about Madarkal's inebriated condition.

However, Madarkal said, "I wasn't drunk. Anyone who says that is lying. I have been arrested by someone who wanted to exact revenge from me."

Madarkal has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code at the Tirumala police station.